A Mended Man (The Men of Halfway House Book 4) (61 page)

"That's my brother," Ty said, pulling Jessie from his thoughts. He crossed his arms and smiled smugly looking out at the field as Aidan wrapped one arm around Cole's neck and tugged him close so he couldn't escape, then rubbed Cole's head with his knuckles until Cole started laughing.

"That's
my
Aidan," Jessie said, absently holding the key on his necklace, running his finger along the top and sliding it across the chain link. He rose from his chair and walked over to the barbecue, raising the cover and tending to the burgers and hot dogs.

"Hey, Cam! Set up the play we covered in the huddle," Hunter yelled out.

Cam looked over his shoulder and grinned. "I love it when you yell my name." Everyone in the group knew Cam's excitement stemmed from the use of his given name rather than the WITSEC name, but the double entendre was obvious in his heated stare.

"Please show some mercy for the heteros in the audience," Manny said, groaning loud enough to trigger a few chuckles.

Jessie switched his focus between the barbecue grill and the game, shaking his head when Cole tackled Julian in the next down. Even he knew it didn't make any sense to tackle your own team member, but Cole was Cole.

Aidan called a time-out and Matt blew the whistle. He ran over to Jessie with a lingering smile, grabbing one of the baseball caps from the table. "Here, put this on so you don't burn. The sun's kicking a bit today."

"I've still got the sunscreen you put on me earlier. I think I'll be okay," he said, flipping the burgers on the grill.

"Just in case." Aidan put the cap on Jessie's head, positioning it so it was perfectly centered, then leaned in and gave him a quick kiss on the lips. "And don't worry about the hat-head. You're still perfect."

Jessie knew he must have a silly grin on his face. He couldn't contain the happiness that always bubbled to the surface when Aidan kissed him or held his hand in public.

"Did I earn a point with that?"

Jessie nodded, still smiling.

Aidan quieted when Julian approached.

"Are the burgers ready? I'm starving," Julian said, grabbing a bun from the bag and handing it to Matt before taking another for himself. The others circled the grill, each taking a bit of food before settling at the two round patio tables.

Cole walked up to them and stood off to the side with a ridiculous grin on his face, watching them. Aidan rolled his eyes and turned his head toward Cole, refusing to distance himself from Jessie. "What's so funny, Mr. Future-brother-in-law?"

Cole's smile widened as it always did when Aidan threw back his self-proclaimed title. "You two. It's like watching turtle porn."

Jessie couldn't hide the bubbling happiness when Aidan pushed Cole, laughing as he shoved him away.

"Seriously, is
everyone
gay here?" Manny said with an eye roll.

Aidan smirked. "Asks the only man at this barbecue eating a hot dog instead of a burger."

Manny stopped the hot dog midway to his mouth, launching another round of laughter from the group before shrugging it off and taking a bite.

Aidan wrapped his arms around Jessie's waist from behind, pulling him close against his chest. "Thanks for an awesome birthday," he whispered in Jessie's ear.

Jessie anchored his hands on the strong arms wrapped around his waist, watching their friends laugh and joke with each other. "Birthday's not over yet."

"Mmm. I'm guessing there will be balls involved," Aidan whispered in Jessie's ear, pulling his earlobe between his teeth.

"Yeah. Yours." Jessie chuckled.

"You're insatiable."

Jessie turned in the embrace, reaching up to touch Aidan's stubbled jaw, smiling when Aidan leaned into the caress. "And you love that."

"I do." Aidan guided Jessie's hand from his face to his chest, pressing Jessie's palm over the scar on his pec. He covered Jessie's hand with his own and held his gaze with a solemn expression filled with unmistakable love. "With every breath and heartbeat."

~ The End ~

About the Author

Jaime Reese is the alter ego of an artist who loves the creative process of writing, just not about herself. Fiction is far more interesting. She has a weakness for broken, misunderstood heroes and feels everyone deserves a chance at love and life. An avid fan of a happy ending, she believes those endings acquired with a little difficulty are more cherished.

http://www.jaimereese.com/

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A Better Man

A Hunted Man

A Restored Man

A Mended Man

…more to come…